Marco Rubio on Charlie Crist's golden opportunity

Remember when Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich was caught on a wire tap saying that a governor's ability to appoint a senator was a "fucking golden" opportunity? In that case, prosecutors allege, it was about money.

Now that Mel Martinez might step down as Florida Sen, Gov. Charlie Crist has a similar golden opporunity. Except this is about ambition. He can appoint himself. Will he?

His Republican opponent, Marco Rubio, hopes not. Here's what he said in a written statement:

"Mel Martinez's life is a testament to the boundless promise that exists in America, where a young Cuban exile can come to the United States without his parents and rise to become a Cabinet secretary and U.S. senator. As he looks ahead towards the next phase of his life, I wish him and his family all the best.

"As Governor Crist considers who he will appoint as Florida's next U.S. senator, I urge him to take great care in his selection. Florida deserves an interim senator who will go to Washington and serve as a true check on President Obama's push for more wasteful government spending, government-run health care and cap-and-trade. The last thing Florida needs is a U.S. senator that will stand with President Obama instead of challenging the wrong direction he is leading our country and offering constructive conservative solutions moving forward."